Cyclic lipodepsipeptides

Cyclic lipodepsipeptides (CLPs) are small amphipathic compounds that are abundant and diverse in nature. They are produced by soil and plant-associated microbes by non-ribosomal peptide synthesis systems. We study their structures, mechanisms of action, production, and applications. Many CLPs have powerful antimicrobial properties. As natural products, they are attractive for green agricultural and crop protection strategies as well as therapeutic applications. One of the best studied is the cyclic lipodepsinonapeptide syringomycin E produced by certain plant pseudomonads. Strongly fungicidal, syringomycin E forms membrane pores, and its channel properties are extensively investigated. Recent experiments in the laboratory and field reveal that microbial CLPs can be effective protectants against several crop diseases. Methods for scalable production of syringomycin E were recently achieved, and the material produced offers "green" protection from vegetable seed decay in organic farming operations (Kawasaki et al. 2016).